Drug Action
An antiprotozoal drug that inhibits the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase in hair follicles.
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Drug reference
An antiprotozoal drug that inhibits the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase in hair follicles.
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Adjunct in the treatment of facial hirsutism in women ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: Apply twice daily, to be applied thinly, discontinue use if no improvement after 4 months of treatment
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Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions SMC No. 159/05 The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (September 2005) that eflornithine 11.5% cream (Vaniqa ®) for facial hirsutism be restricted for use in women in whom alternative drug treatment cannot be used.
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▶Common or very common Alopecia. increased risk of infection. paraesthesia. skin reactions ▶Uncommon Face oedema. flushing. hair changes. oral disorders. skin haemorrhage ▶Rare or very rare Skin neoplasm
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Toxicity in animal studies—manufacturer advises avoid.
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Manufacturer advises avoid—no information available.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Cream EXCIPIENTS: May contain Cetostearyl alcohol (including cetyl and stearyl alcohol), hydroxybenzoates (parabens) ▶Vaniqa (Almirall Ltd) Eflornithine (as Eflornithine hydrochloride monohydrate) 115 mg per 1 gram Vaniqa 11.5% cream | 60 gram P £56.87 DT = £56.87 Skin cleansers, antiseptics and desloughing agents Skin cleansers, antiseptics and desloughing agents Skin cleansers and antiseptics Soap or detergent is used with water to cleanse intact skin; emollient preparations such as aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment can be used in place of soap or detergent for cleansing dry skin. An antiseptic is used for skin that is infected or that is susceptible to recurrent infection. Detergent preparations containing chlorhexidine p. 1344 or povidone-iodine p. 1343, which should be thoroughly rinsed off, are used. Emollients may also contain antiseptics. Antiseptics such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine are used on intact skin before surgical procedures; their antiseptic effect is enhanced by an alcoholic solvent. Antiseptic solutions containing cetrimide can be used if a detergent effect is also required. Hydrogen peroxide p. 1345, an oxidising agent, can be used in solutions of up to 6% for skin disinfection, such as cleansing and deodorising wounds and ulcers. Hydrogen peroxide is also available as a cream for superficial bacterial skin infections. For irrigating ulcers or wounds, lukewarm sterile sodium chloride 0.9% solution is used, but tap water is often appropriate. Potassium permanganate solution 1 in 10 000 p. 1343, a mild antiseptic with astringent properties, can be used for exudative eczematous areas; treatment should be stopped when the skin becomes dry. Desloughing agents Alginate, hydrogel and hydrocolloid dressings are effective at wound debridement. Sterile larvae (maggots) (available from BioMonde) are also used for managing sloughing wounds and are prescribable on the NHS. Desloughing solutions and creams are of little clinical value. Substances applied to an open area are easily absorbed and perilesional skin is easily sensitised. Gravitational dermatitis may be complicated by superimposed contact sensitivity to substances such as neomycin sulfate p. 1296 or lanolin. ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS
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Medicines must be rubbed in thoroughly. Cosmetics may be applied over treated area 5 minutes after eflornithine, do not wash treated area for 4 hours after application.
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Apply twice daily, to be applied thinly,
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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